Third party interventions by the Commissioner for Human RightsThird party interventions by the Commissioner for Human Rights

According to Article 36 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Commissioner can take part in the proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights, either at the invitation of the President of the Court or, since the entry into force of Protocol No. 14 to the Convention on 1 June 2010, on his own initiative. The Commissioner can submit written contributions and participate in hearings.

The Commissioner's observations are based on his country and thematic activities. These observations do not include any comments on the facts or merits of the case, but address only those aspects of it which concern the Commissioner's particular interests in the matter.

Bagirov v. Azerbaijan (Application No.28198/15)
On 12 September 2016, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of Bagirov v. Azerbaijan. This case relates to the disbarment of the applicant, an Azerbaijani lawyer who had been actively involved in the defence of human rights, from the Azerbaijani Bar Association. [CommDH(2016)42]

Svetlana Khusainovna ESTEMIROVA v. the Russian Federation (Application No. 42705/11)
On the 16 March 2016, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of Svetlana Khusainovna ESTEMIROVA v. the Russian Federation. This case relate to the killing of a prominent Russian human rights defender. [CommDH(2016)18]

Khadija ISMAYILOVA v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 30778/15)
On the 16 January 2016, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the cases of Khadija ISMAYILOVA v. Azerbaijan. This case relate to the institution of criminal proceedings against the applicant and her remand in custody and her request for the replacement of her pre-trial detention by house arrest or her release on bail. [CommDH(2016)6]

S.O. v. Austria and A.A. v. Austria (Applications No. 44825/15 and No. 44944/15)
On the 17 December 2015, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the cases of S.O. v. Austria and A.A. v. Austria. Theses cases relate to the return of the two applicants from Austria to Hungary. [CommDH(2016)3]

N.D. v. Spain and N.T. v. Spain (Applications No. 8675/15 and No. 8697/15)
On the 12 November 2015, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of N.D. v. Spain and N.T. v. Spain. These cases relate to the return of the two applicants from the Spanish city of Melilla to Morocco. [CommDH(2015)27]

Leyla YUNUSOVA and Arif YUNUSOV v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 68817/14 )
On 20 April 2015, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of human rights defenders Leyla YUNUSOVA and Arif YUNUSOV, which highlights systematic deficiencies in the area of freedom of expression and association in Azerbaijan, including retaliatory measures against critical voices in the country. [CommDH(2015)10]

Rasul JAFAROV v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 69981/14 )
On 30 March 2015, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of human rights defender Rasul Jafarov, which further illustrate the serious and systemic human rights problems faced in Azerbaijan by journalists, lawyers and rights activists who are often subject to reprisals and judicial harassement. [CommDH(2015)8]

Anar MAMMADLI v. Azerbaijan (Application no. 47145/14)
On 30 March 2015, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of human rights defender Anar Mammadli, which further illustrate the serious and systemic human rights problems faced in Azerbaijan by journalists, lawyers and rights activists who are often subject to reprisals and judicial harassement. [CommDH(2015)7]

Intigam ALIYEV v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 68762/14)
On 16 March 2015, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of human rights defender and lawyer Intigam Aliyev, in which he underscores that the present case is an illustration of a serious and systemic human rights problem in Azerbaijan, where critical voices are often subject to reprisals and judicially harassed. [CommDH(2015)6]

Hilal MAMMADOV v. Azerbaijan (Application No. 81553/12)
On 19 February 2015, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of Hilal Mammadov against Azerbaijan, in which he stresses the systematic deficiencies in the area of freedom of expression, including judicial harassment of critical voices, and a pattern of retaliatory measures against those who co-operate with international organisations to expose human rights violations in the country. [CommDH(2015)5]

The Centre for Legal Resources on behalf of Valentin Câmpeanu v. Romania (Application No. 47848/08)
On 18 October 2011, the Commissioner submitted written observations to the European Court of Human Rights on a case concerning the treatment of a person with disability in Romania. It is the first submitted on his own initiative since the entry into force of Protocol No. 14 to the Convention on 1 June 2010. [CommDH(2011)37]

M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece(Application No. 30696/09)
On 3 May 2010, the Court invited the Commissioner to submit written observations concerning the case of M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece relating to the transfer of an asylum seeker from Belgium to Greece under the Dublin Regulation. [CommDH(2010)22]
On 1 September 2010, the Commissioner intervened orally during the hearing before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in this case.

14 Applications concerning the Netherlands and Greece
On 9 November 2009, the Court invited the Commissioner to submit written observations concerning a group of 14 cases relating to the transfer of asylum seekers from the Netherlands to Greece under the Dublin Regulation.
[CommDH(2010)9]

Mamasakhlisi v. Georgia and Russia(Application No. 29999/04)
On 16 August 2007, the Commissioner replied to questions put forward by the Court relating to the situation of an applicant.
[CommDH(2007)18]